The Companies Act 2014 (the "Act") was enacted on 23 December 2014 and is expected to come into force on 1 June 2015.

Revenue have now produced the new electronic form, known as the Employer's Share Awards (ESA) return.

The European Securities and Markets Authority has published its final guidelines on the remuneration of alternative investment fund managers.

On 3 April 2017, the European Council announced that it had adopted, without debate, a directive which will amend the existing Shareholder Rights Directive.

Share-based remuneration ("SBR") has long been cited as an efficient way to attract, incentivise and retain employees and directors in a competitive employment landscape.

A new Directive (Directive (EU) 2017/8281) ("New Directive"), which amends the existing Shareholders' Rights' Directive (Directive 2007/36/EC), must be transposed into Irish law by 10 June 2019.

Directive 2014/91/EU (the "UCITS V") is due to come into effect on 18 March, 2016 and will amend Directive 2009/65/EC (the "UCITS Directive").

On 23 July 2015, the European Securities and Markets Authority ("ESMA") issued a consultation paper and draft guidelines in relation to the remuneration provisions of the UCITS V Directive

The recent controversies over exit packages paid to former Chief Executives has called into question the duties and responsibilities of Board directors who approve exit packages for departing directors.